UCO Graduate Accepted into Competitive Teaching Program in Japan
Liberal Arts News and Events
July 8, 2024
Kilian Parson
Recent University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) alumnus Kilian Parsons has been accepted into the highly competitive Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program (JET). At the end of July, Parsons will head to Japan for a one year contract to teach English at Hirado High School in Hirado, Nagasaki and represent the United States as a cultural ambassador. Parsons graduated from UCO in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor of arts in professional media and was active in the Department of Modern Language as a Japanese language student.
The Japanese government’s JET program is a competitive employment opportunity that enables young professionals to live and work across various Japanese cities, towns and villages where participants gain valuable teaching experience and immersive cultural opportunities. Each year, the program receives between 4,000 and 5,000 applications from U.S. applicants, out of which only about 1,000 are selected. Parsons’ acceptance into the program is a testament to his hard work, dedication and exceptional qualifications. JET teaching contracts can be extended up to five years. Parsons hopes to establish a long-term residence in Japan.
“It was thanks to UCO that applying to JET was possible,” said Parsons.
“The biggest contributor was the UCO Modern Language Department. It was thanks to individuals like my Japanese language professor that motivated me to pursue a career abroad.”
As part of the JET program, Parsons will have the opportunity to enhance his communication skills both verbally and through various physical media, such as video, photography and illustration. Additionally, his time in Japan will boost his creative output as he plans to document his experiences by writing and capturing photos and videos of Japan’s unique culture.
The University of Central Oklahoma and the Department of Modern Languages are committed to supporting students in achieving such remarkable opportunities. The department offers a range of programs and resources to help students excel in their studies and pursue their dreams.
“I am so proud of Kilian,” said Kaoru Burkhalter, a lecturer of Japanese at UCO.
“He excelled not only academically, but also as a leader among his peers. His caring nature allowed him to work well with others in a team setting as he always respected others’ opinions.”
To learn more about the Department of Modern Languages at UCO, visit modern-languages.uco.edu.